Oscillation generator and joint operation thereof



July 28, 1925.

H. C. RENTSCHLER OSCILLATION GENERATOR AND JOINT OPERATION THEREOF Filed Aug. 17, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 firs Drop.

WITNESSES:

o :IQI

INVENTOR fi'ar vey 6. Fan 730/7 lei. BY 4 ATTORNEY H. C. RENTSCHLER OSCILLATION GENERATOR AND JOINT OPERATION THEREOF July 28, 1925.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1920 INVENTOR fiarveyCfienfoa/Mem WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY Patented .luly' 28, 19 25.

UNITED" STATES" PATIENT, OFFICE.

,HARV'EY C. RENTSCHLER, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE LAMP COMPANY, A CORPORATION 01 PENNSYLVANIA.

OSCILLATION 'onnn'na'ron. AND JOINT 'orm'rion THEREOF.

Application filed August 17, 1920. Serial No. 404,140.

a.,resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of v 5 Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Oscillation Generators and Joint Operation Thereof, of which the following is a speclfication.

' erators, and to the joint operation thereof, and it has for an object to provide a device of the character designated that may be started with facility and which shall thereafter operate with high efficiency in the production of highfrequency currents.

Another object of my invention is to provide a system of connections for devices of the character designated that shall permit great flexibility in theproduction of highfrequeney currents of any desired amperage or of any desired voltage.

Other objects and advantages of my in vention will be apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view, in elevation, of a tube embodying my invention, together with associated supply, load and auxiliary cir-' cuits.

'Fig. 2 is a graph showing the operation of the tube of Fig. 1 under different operative conditions.

Figs. 3, 4E and 5 are diagrammatic views of different systems of connections that may be' employed with tubes of the type shown in Fig. 1, or of similar character, Fig. 3 showing the parallel operation of tubes, Figs. 4, the series operation thereof, and Fig. 5 the series multiple connection of four tubes.

In my copending application Serial No. 261,910 filed Nov. 9,1918, I describe and claim an oscillation generator comprising a closed tube provided with two solid electrodes in the form of tungsten beads, together with a starting electrode and a filling of suitable gas, such as hydrogen. To start this tube, it was necessaryto first strike an are between one of the beads and My invention relates to oscillation gen-' the nrercury poolandtto thereafter transfer thisare to the other bead, this necessitat-. l three', supply leads In'ac'cordanee, resent invention, I find thatif in-a s t onlof rest, the two tungsten beadsbarely touch the surface of the pool of mercury-orkthelike, which thus I forms .a conducting. bridge there-between, an arc may be struc byj tiltingthe tube so that the negative electrode first leaves the mercury, with the strikin of an arc to the mercury as the anode; ubsequent movement of the bulb moves'- the positive electrode from. the ooliand the are is now transferred to t e two'fl solidelectrodes.

' This construction does away with thenecesof a third lead to the mercury pool itse y Not only does the mercury thus assist in the starting ofthe device, but atrace of mercury vapor remaining in the tube tends to exert a beneficial action. upon the subsequent operation thereof, as will hereinafter be more clearly set forth.

Tubes, of the character designated, or other tubes of similar type, may be operated in series relation with the use of a single oscillating circuit for the series aggregate. The specific tube above described operates with extreme facility in this connection, as a conducting path is present through the tube in the inoperative position, and thus the tubes may be started one at a time, the oscillating currents passing through the conducting bridges in the inactive tubes On starting the tubes it will be found preferable to open the oscillation circuit.

Turning now to the parallel operationof the present oscillation generators, a marked difference should be noted between their characteristics and those of oscillatory-generators of the high-vacuum type, commonly known as audions or pliotrons. Tubes constructed in accordance with my invention have a falling characteristic, that is to say, an increase of current there-through decreases the internal resistance, in marked distinction to the high-vacuum tubes which have a raising characteristic so that an increase in load current raises the internal resistance. Thus the high-vacuum bulbs may be operated readily in parallel, with proper load division, but special means must be employed in conjunction with tubes constructed in accordance with my invention, in order to prevent the robbing of all the load by one tube.

Balancing coils of usual type, as employed in the parallel operation of arcs of all kinds, may be used but balancing coils become less and less effective as the frequency is raised. I find, however, that by employing a composite oscillating circuit in conjunction with a plurality of parallel operating devices, this circuit including common inductive means with distinct condenser means; proper load division is obtaiued and the operation is more and more satisfactory with an increase in the frequency.

Turning now to the drawing for more detailed understanding of my invention: I show a tube at 5 in Fig. 1 embodying a pear-shaped closed container having a lateral protuberance 6 thereupon. A pool of mercury 7 is placed in the bottom of-the tube 5, and two refractory beads 8 and 9, preferably formed of tungsten or molybdenum are mounted on suitable supporting stems 10 connected to supply leads 11.

Thetube 5 is mounted in a clamp 12 which, 'in turn is pivotally mounted as at 13, so that the entire tube may be swung through 90 to the dotted line position, the mercury 7, in this position, filling the protuberance 6 and the leads 11 being indicated as flexible in order to permit free movement of the tube 5.

The electrode or cathode 8 is connected to the negative side of a direct current sup ply circuit 14 though a ballast resistor 15 and one blade of a control switch 16, and the electrode or anode 9 is connected to the positive side of the circuit 14 through the remaining blade of the switch 16.

An oscillatory resonant circuit embodying an adjustable condenser 17, an adjustable inductance 18, and the primary winding of a coupling transformer 19 is connected between the supply leads for the electrodes 8 and 9, this providing the well-- known conditions for an oscillating circuit. A switch 14' is preferably inserted to control the current passing through the inductance 18.

Having thus described the arrangement of a tube and its auxiliary circuits constructed in accordance with my invention,

the operation thereof is as follows: Assuming the tube 5 to be in the full line position the switch 14' is opened and the switch 16 is closed, whereupon direct current flows between the electrodes 8 and 9 through the bridge formed by the pool 7 the amount of current flow being restricted by the resistor 15. The tube 5 is now swung in a clockwise direction, the bead 8 first leaving the mercury and a small are being struck with the mercury as an anode.

Further movement of the tube 5 now clears the head 9 from the mercury,whereupon the arc is transferred thereto, the bead 9 functioning as an anode. The switch 14 is then closed. By proper adjustment of the elements 17 and 18, high frequency oscillations may now be set up and are transferred to the consuming device 20 through the transformer 19.

While satisfactory operation may be described with solely a filling of inert gas Within the tube 5, such, for example, as hydrogen or other diatomic gas inert with respect to the electrodes and the mercury such as nitrogen, nevertheless, I find that the presence of a trace of mercury vapor of proper amount or other monatomic gas such as argon, helium or neon which would not attack the contents of the tube is beneficial upon the arc action as is indicated by the following results: Thus with the bulb turned so that the mercury pool is relatively close to the arc, and the arc forced to assume the formof a thin ribbon or pencil, the operation is as indicated by the steeper characteristic curve A of Fig. 2, the arc drop being plotted against current.

With the arc bulb so that the mercury is removed to the maximum possible distance from the arc, and the lack of pencil like appearance of the arc, the characteristicsare as indicated in Fig. 2- B, it being noted that the arc drop for a given current is considerably higher than in the previous case, thus indicating that a marked decrease of the arc drop within the tube and a con sequent increase in efficiency may be obtained by the provision of a small amount of mercury vapor.

Turning now to the joint operation of a device of a general character shown in Fig. 1, I show in Fig. 3, two bulbs 5' and 5 arranged for parallel operation from a supply system 14 and arranged for a joint energization of 19 and 20. Each tube is arranged with a ballast resistor 15 or 15 as before, and for the excitation of oscillations and for the determination of the frequency thereof, and a circuit is established, comprising primary winding of the transformer 19, a single inductive device 18, preferably adjustable in nature and two adjustable condensers 17 and 17 in branch circuits and respectively associated with the tubes 5 and 5".

Each of the tubes 5 and 5 is arranged for a tilting start as before, and either one of them may be operated independently for the energization of the load 20, using the common oscillatory circuit or, if desired same frequency, even though this common frequency be slightly different from the inherent or free frequency of the respective branches. 1

Turning to the system of Fig. 4, two tubes, 5 and 5 are arranged for series operation from a source of power 14 with the use ofa good oscillating circuit embodying condenser 17 and inductive reactor'I8 and the primary winding of the transformer 19.

lhe device 5 .and 5" are arranged for a tilted start as in the device of Fig.1 and the fact that in inert position there is a conducting path present through each tube because of the contact between the tungsten beads and the mercury pool enables one to start either tube independently of the other, each oscillating current passing" freely through the inactive tube. v,

lVith the foregoing structure circuits inmind, the arrangement and operation'of the series parallel action of F ig. 5 will be ob vious. Four tubes, 55"5' and 5""- are employed, the two tubes 5' and 0 acting as a series aggregate to replace a single tube of the system of Fig. 3, the action within this aggregate being the same as in the system of Fig. 4, and similar with respect to the devices 5" and 5'-. The oscillatory circuit embodies a common reactor 18 and distinctive condensers 17 and 17 as in the system of Fig. 3.

\Vhile I have shown my invention in a preferred structure, and in various circuit relations, it willbe obvious to. those skilled in the art that it is susceptible to various minor changes and alternations, in either respect withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof, and I desire therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or specifical y set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. In an electrical discharge tube, the combination with a closed container of two solid electrodes mounted therein, and a pool of conducting liquid, the tube being adapted to be tilted for starting an arc and the configuration of the tube wall being such that. in one position, each electrode just touches the upper liquid surface and in another position both electrodes are clear from the liquid surface.

2. In an electrical discharge tube, the combination with a closed container of two solid electrodes mounted therein, and a pool of conducting liquid, the tube being adapted to be tilted for starting an arc and the configuration of the tube wall being such that, in one position, each electrode just touches the up 1' liquid'surface and in another po- SIl-IOII 0th electrodes are clear from the liquid surface, said electrodes leaving the liquid surface non-simultaneously,

3. In combination with asource of direct current, an electrical discharge tube connected thereto, and embodying a closed eontainer provided with two solid electrodes therein, and apool of conducting liquid, the tube being adapted to be tilted for-starting an arc and the configuration of the tube.

wall being such that in one position each electrode ust touches the liquid surface and in another position both electrodes are-clear from -the liquid surface, the cathode first breaking contact with the pool. v

4. In combination with a source of direct current an. electrical discharge tube connected thereto, and embodying aicloscd container "provided with two solid electrodes therein,'and a pool of conducting liquid, the tube being adapted to be tilted for starting an arc and the configuration of the tube wall being such that in one position each electrode'just touches the liquid surface'and in another; position both electrodes are clear frointhe liquid surface, the cathode first breaking contact with the pool, and the mer-' cury. pool remaining in proximity to the are between the solid electrodes, whereby mercury fluid is continuously fed therefrom to the arc.

, 5. In combination with a source of direct current and an oscillatory circuit, an electrical discharge tube connected thereto, and embodying a closed container provided with two solid electrodes therein, and a pool of conducting liquid, the tube being tilted to start an are and the configuration of the tube wall being such that in one position each electrode just touches the liquid surface and in another position both electrodes are clear from the liquid surface, the cathode first breaking contact with the pool.

6. In combination with a. source of direct current and an oscillatory circuit, an electrical discharge tube connected thereto, and embodying a closed container provided with two solid electrodes therein, and a pool .of

conducting liquid, the tube being tilted to start an arc and the configuration of the tube wall being such that in' one position each electrode just touches the liquid surface and in another position both electrodes are clear from the liquid surface, the oathode first breaking contact with the pool and said mercury pool remaining in such proximity to the are that mercury fluid is continuously sup-plied thereto. from the pool.

7. In a system for the derivation of high frequency oscillations from a current source, in combination with a plurality of discharge tubes containing electrodes contacting with a eonduct'iveliquid,Iwhennot in operation and ,means for tilting the same to start each tube, independently, by removing the liquid from 3 contact with thee'lectrodes, said tubes being connected in parallelwith said source, an oscillatory' circuit connected in parallel 'w1th saidtubes and embodying a common inductive member and separate .condensive mem bers whereby proper load division between the tubes is maintained.

8. In a system for the derivation of high frequency oscillation currents from a source of electrical energy in combination with 21,

- phere of hydrogen gas and mercury vapor in the presence of mercury, comprising the step of first striking the are by establishing a bridge between the said electrodes and the liquid mercury, I thereafter displacing the mercury with respect toone of saidelectrodes and then continuing said displacement of mercury with respect to both electrodes till a fine discharge stream is obtaineda 10. A system for the derivation of high frequency current comprising a current source, an oscillation generator comprising two electrodes having an electrical discharge current passing through an atmosphere of a monatomic and diatomic gas inert with respect to the generator and starting means for said generator comprising a conducting liquid bridging said electrodes and means,

for tilting the generator to cause the liquid to break contact with the electrodes and start an are.

11. An arc device comprising a'vessel containing a quantity of a conducting liquid,

-a pair of electrodes contacting with the liquid when the device is in inoperative position, means for supplying direct current to the electrodes and means for tipping the Vessel to thereby withdraw first the negative and then the positive electrode from the liquid to effect the establishment of an arc therebetween.

12. An enclosed are device comprising a vessel containing a quantity of mercury, a

cathode and an anode contacting with the mercury when the device is in starting position, means for impressing a potential between the cathode and the anode and means to withdraw first the cathode and then anode from the mercury to effect the establishment of an are between the cathode and the anode.

13. An enclosed are device comprising a container, a pair of electrodes therein, a conducting liquid contacting with the electrodes when the device is in starting position, a

gaseous filling withinthe container inert with respect to the electrodes and the liquid, means for supplying current to the electrodes and pivoted means attached to the container, whereby the same may be tiltedso that first the negative and then the positive electrode is withdrawn from the liquid so that an arc is started therebetween. 14. An enclosed arc device com )nsm a container filled with hydrogen and a small quantity of a conducting liquid, a pair of electrodes sealed therein and contacting with the liquid when the device is in starting position, means for supplying electrical energy to the electrodes and means for tipping I the contalner to withdraw first the negative and then the positive electrode from the liquid, thereby starting an arc therebetwecn.

15. A device adapted for use as an oscillator comprising a vessel containing hydro gen and a conducting liquid, a pair of electrodes sealed therein and dipping into the liquid when the device is in starting position and means for starting the device comprising a pivoted arm attached to the vessel whereby the same may be tilted so that the electrodes are separately withdrawn from the liquid.

16. The method of starting an are between solid electrodes, comprising bridging the distance between them with a conducting liquid in an enclosing vessel, impressing electrical power therebetween and withdrawing the liquid from the electrodes by tilting the vessel.

17. The method of starting an are between a pair of solid electrodes which consists in electrically connecting said electrodes by means of a conductive liquid in an enclosing vessel and removing the electrodes therefrom by tilting the vessel so that an are forms first between an electrode and the conductive liquid, and then is transferred from the liquid to the other electrode.

18. The method of starting an enclosed are device which consists in impressing a potential between a pair of solid electrodes normally contacting with a conductive liquid and adapted to be independently removed therefrom, tilting the device until one of said electrodes is removed from the conductive liquid, thereby effecting an are between said electrode and liquid, continuing the tilting operation until the second electrode leaves the conductive liquid, thereby effecting a transfer of the arc to the electrodes.

19, The method of starting an enclosed. are

device comprising impressing a potential across a pair of solid electrodes normally contacting with a conducting liquid, removing the liquid first from one electrode whereby an arc is started between said electrode and the liquid, then removing the liquid from the other electrode and causing the are to transfer from the liquid to the other electrode.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 11th day of Au gust 1920.

HARVEY C. RENTSCHLER. 

